Alpha units are interchangeable reaction modules available in a variety of formats to accommodate standard tubes and plates, and high-density microplates.
Every thermal cycler in the DNA Engine® family (the DNA Engine, DNA Engine Dyad®, Dyad Disciple™, and DNA Engine Tetrad® 2 cyclers) accepts all interchangeable Alpha unit reaction modules. Changing an Alpha unit reaction module takes less than 10 seconds, with no tools required. The temperature accuracy specifications of Alpha blocks ensure consistent results experiment-to-experiment and cycler-to-cycler.
Three-Step Installation of Alpha Units
Use the table below to select the best Alpha unit(s) for your needs.
| Reaction Module |
Comments |
Configuration |
Capacity |
Sample Volume |
Catalog # |
| Single-block Alpha unit |
Adjustable heated lids set manually*;
96-well unit is gradient capable |
96-well |
96 x 0.2 ml tubes, one 96-well plate |
5–125 µl |
ALS-1296G |
384-well
|
One 384-well plate
|
3–30 µl
|
ALS-1238G
|
| Dual-block Alpha unit |
2 independently controlled sample blocks with 2 manually set adjustable heated lids* |
48/48-well
|
2 x 48 x 0.2 ml tubes
|
5–125 µl
|
ALD-1244G |
* The amount of pressure is optimized by adjustment with a thumbwheel; the lid temperature is set with the thermal cycler software.
